It's A Wonderful Life is the ultimate 'feel-good' film. Starring the unforgettable James Stewart as George Bailey, the man who receives the greatest Christmas gift of all. A superb ensemble cast includes Donna Reed and Lionel Barrymore, this high-spirited Christmas tale is directed by the immortal Frank Capra and ranks as an all-time favourite of fans and critics alike. It's A Wonderful Life began as a short Christmas tale called 'The Greatest Gift'. The premise was simple: A regretful man sees what would have become of his family and friends if he had never lived. Yet various writers struggled to balance the story's pathos and humour. Only Capra's painstaking polishing made the script filmable, with enriched characters and plot adding hugely to its depth and drama. When James Stewart first read the script, he said 'This is it! When do we start?'
Directed by
Frank Capra
Written by
Philip Van Doren Stern (story "The Greatest Gift"); Frances Goodrich and Albert Hackett and Frank Capra; Jo Swerling (additional scenes); Michael Wilson (uncredited).
Starring
James Stewart (George Bailey); Donna Reed (Mary Hatch Bailey); Lionel Barrymore (Henry F. Potter); Thomas Mitchell (Uncle Billy); Henry Travers (Clarence); Beulah Bondi (Ma Bailey); Frank Faylen (Ernie Bishop); Ward Bond (Officer Bert); Gloria Grahame (Violet Bick); H.B. Warner (Mr. Emil Gower); Frank Albertson (Sam Wainwright); Todd Karns (Harry Bailey); Samuel S. Hinds (Peter Bailey (Pa)); Mary Treen (Cousin Tilly); Virginia Patton (Ruth Dakin Bailey). Please contact SFC to add other cast members and characters.
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A Film to Shape Hearts and Minds
Mark Banks (United Kingdom)
Opinion: Recommended
There are few things to be written about It’s A Wonderful Life that haven’t been said already. But coming from a Catholic perspective the thing that strikes me the most about Capra’s work is his success in producing wholesome movies with good underlying moral messages – his example shows us that if we’re doing God’s work, God will bless us, help us and guide us. It’s A Wonderful Life remains a powerful pro-life movie that has the ability to help shape hearts and minds from a young age if children are fortunate enough to view such a film. And what a wonderful turn around George Bailey’s attitude has taken by the end of this film. I know myself that I have far too much of a tendency to look on things from a glass is half-empty perspective. It’s A Wonderful Life shows us that counting the blessings in our lives can quite literally mean the difference between life and death; both spiritual life and death, and physical life and death. Praise God for this film and may we have a new generation of Capra-like filmmakers!
